Excessive tourism contributes to a tragic accident involving a funicular tram in Lisbon, leading to the loss of 16 lives; Portugal initiates a day of mourning in response.
In a tragic turn of events, Portugal has declared a day of national mourning following a tram crash in Lisbon that claimed 16 lives and injured 21 others. The incident occurred close to the Avenida da Liberdade at around 6:05pm local time on Wednesday evening.
The Gloria Funicular, a popular attraction in Lisbon and a national monument, was the site of the accident. Two carriages of the funicular run parallel to each other as they shuttle up and down the hill for a few hundred metres. Initial reports suggest the crash resulted from a cable coming loose.
Portugal's Defense Minister, Nuno Melo, expressed solidarity and offered condolences to the families of the victims. Lisbon's mayor, Carlos Moedas, announced a three-day period of mourning following the tragic event. Moedas also extended his heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the victims.
Foreigners are among the dead, but the exact number has not been released. The British Foreign Office is in touch with local authorities and stands by to provide consular assistance if there are any affected British nationals.
The EU Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, also expressed condolences for the tragedy. Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa stated that the tragedy could partly be explained by overtourism. Fabiana Pavel, president of the Bairro Alto Residents' Association, echoed this sentiment, claiming the crash could be blamed on "excessive tourism."
The Gloria Funicular can carry more than 40 people, seated and standing. The vibrant yellow funicular tram line is an iconic symbol of Lisbon, having been in operation since 1885. Last year, Lisbon hosted around 8.5 million tourists.
As the investigation into the cause of the accident continues, Portugal's government and citizens stand united in mourning the loss of life and offering support to the injured and affected families.
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